Organisation

There are different ways to organize a self-help group

• Association

          An association can be a registered society having legal capacity. The roles,

          functions and duties of the members, purpose of association, mode of decision

          and vote are determined by law.

• Working group

          A working group mostly has the same motives and aims like registered

          associations but doesn´t want to register as an association.

• Umbrella associations

          In some countries (e.g. in Austria) there are umbrella associations who

          coordinate cooperation of the national self-help groups.

In every case it is necessary to get information whether there are already other self-help groups for the same disease in your country.

The following issues should be discussed and the outcome should be recorded in writing.

• Who is the leader of the group?
• Who is the deputy?
• How is the allocation of tasks defined?
• Who is responsible for what?
• How often will the group meet?
• Where will the group meet?
• When will the group meet (date / time)?